Objective To identify the LongSAGE tags from yeast LongSAGE library and hyphal LongSAGE library of Candida albicans. Methods The technique called the generation of longer cDNA fragments from serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) tags was used for gene identification (GLGI). The SAGE tags of 17 bases were converted into their corresponding 3′ cDNA fragments covering hundred bases, and the sequence was analyzed. Results Fifteen out of twenty tags were stably and efficiently extended with the base size between 200-1 000 bp. The sequence was considered to represent a known gene since it matched a full-length transcript sequence with over 95% similarity in the same orientation, including the same 17-bp SAGE tag sequence. Conclusion By using novel SAGE tags as primer, we can identify efficiently many novel transcripts. A combined application of SAGE-GLGI can be used to define the boundary of expressed genes in the genomic sequences in Candida albicans and in other eukaryotic genomes.

Objective To construct a library of long serial analysis of gene expression (LongSAGE) and investigate the characteristics of gene expression in the yeast phase of C. albicans. Methods A LongSAGE library was constructed with long serial analysis of gene expression (LongSAGE). Results A total of 17 773 tags, representing specific 7 333 transcripts, were extracted from 1 000 sequence files in the yeast phase of C. albicans. Tags matching single gene accounted for 16.65%, tags matching multiple genes accounted for 6.59%, tags for hypothetical protein accounted for 16.27%, tags for genome and cosmid accounted for 1.64%, and novel tags accounted for 58.86%. Eleven tags in 33 tags whose expression frequencies exceeded 35 may be new expression sequences. Conclusion LongSAGE is not only a powerful method in investigating the gene expression profiling, allowing the analysis of the expression of thousands of transcripts in a quantitative manner without prior sequence information, but also in finding new genes.

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of excimer laser 308 nm phototherapy alone and the combination of excimer laser 308 nm and topical application of vitamine D3 alanogue tacalcitol in the treatment of vitiligo. Methods Seventy-eight patients with vitiligo were enrolled in the single-blind clinical trial, treated with excimer laser 308 nm. The lesions were devided into two groups: patients in the experimental group were instructed to use tacalcitol ointment and the control group were applied with placebo ointment. The lesions were evaluated once per month and photos taken for analyses of clinical effects. Results The results in different locations were compared, the effective rates of the experimental group in cephalofacial site, trunk and limbs were 93.51%, 84.16 % and 42.35 %, respectively. The effective rates of control group in opposite and adjacent sites were 90.9 %, 77.45 % and 34.15 %, respectively (P ＜ 0.05). The comparison of results in different types of lesions indicated that the effective rate of the experimental group in vitiligo vulgaris and segmental vitiligo were 73.81% and 84.00 %, respectively. The effective rate of control group in vulgaris and segmental vitiligo were 86.8 %, 77.45 % and 34.15 %, respectively (P ＜0.05 ). The comparison of results in radiation times and doses of phototherapy showed that the radiation time and dose on the time of initial pigment regeneration were (16. 15 ± 3.22)times and (4.40 ± 5.03)J/cm2 in the experimental group, while ( 18.56 ± 3.50) times and ( 6.60 ± 1.01 ) J/cm2 ( P ＜ 0.05 ) in the control group, the time and dose on the time of apparent effect were ( 20. 36 ± 1.50 ) times and ( 7.50 ± 3.54 ) J/cm2 in the experimental group, and (21.68 ± 2.40) times and( 8.80 ± 9.24)J/cm2 (P ＜ 0.05 ) in the control group. Conclusion Application of tacalcitol ointment in combination with twice-weekly 308 nm excimer laser light phototherapy is an effective alternative treatment for patients with generalized vitiligo.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 308-nm excimer light in the treatment of stable vitiligo. Methods Thirty patients with stable vitiligo were enrolled in this clinical trial. All the subjects received the treatment with 308-nm excimer light on a twice-weekly schedule for 3 months. Results The repigmentation rate was 95.0%, 75.0% and 66.7% for lesions in the face and neck, trunk and limbs, with the treatment sessions averaging 10.22 ± 1.60, 19.10 ± 2.38, 37.74 ± 3.06, respectively, and accumulative irradiation dose averaging 7.50 ± 3.45, 10.60 ± 1.01, 18.56 ± 3.05 J/cm2 respectively. Significant differences were observed in the repigmentation rate and treatment sessions between the lesions in the face and neck, trunk and limbs (all P ＜ 0.05). No severe side effects were seen during the treatment. Conclusion 308-nm excimer light is effective and safe for the treatment of vitiligo.

The patient,a 51-year-old veterinarian,was hospitalized for a two-month history of painful oral ulcers without fever.Physical examination revealed two superficial ulcers in the palate.Laboratory examination showed a decrease in peripheral blood leucocytes as well as a hyperplasia of bone marrow.No abnormality was found by X-ray radiography or B-mode ultrasonography.The paileat tested negative for anti-HIV antibody.Classification Of CD+ cells showed that CD3+ cells amounted to 0.559,CD4+ cells 0.289,CD8+ cells 0.207,CD4:CD8 ratio 1.4,and all the parameters were in a normal range.Histopathological analysis of the ulcer tissue revealed a chronic inflammatory granuloma with clustered yeast-like cells.Fungal culture of the sample from ulcer tissue at 25℃on the slant of PDA yielded white filamentous colony;typical rudder-like macroconidias were observed with electronic microscopy following microculture;and the isolate showed a biphasic growth pattern.PCR was performed to amplify the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1)and D1/D2 region of the isolated fungus followed by sequence analysis,and a homology of 97%and 99%was observed in the sequence of ITS1 and D1/D2 region,respectively,between the isolate and standard strain of Histoplasma capsulatum.A diagnosis of primary oral histoplasmosis Was made.The lesions subsided after 2-month treatment with oral itraconazole 400 mg per day.

OBJECTIVE To supervise the environmental fungal load and species distribution in transplantation department and intensive care unit of the Southwest Hospital,and to analyze the relationship with season,temperature,humidity,ventilation and personnel activities.METHODS Data from Dec 2005 to Jan 2006 were collected from liver transplantation department(LTD),cerebral surgery intensive care unit(CSICU) and central intensive care unit(CICU).Air,surfaces and tap water were sampled twice a month at each department.RESULTS The air fungal load was 123.63 CFU/m3,139.90 CFU/m3,7 CFU/m3 and 217.71 CFU/m3 at LTD,CSICU,CICU and outdoor,respectively.The five most prevalent fungi collected from air and surface were Penicillium spp,Cladosporium spp,Alternaria spp,Aspergillus spp and Saccharomyces spp in turn.The five most prevalent fungi collected from water were Saccharomyces spp,Candida spp,Aspergillus spp,Penicillium spp and Rhodotorula spp in turn.The fungal load in LTD was positively correlated with the average temperature and the average humidity;the fungal load in CSICU was correlated with the average temperature and the average humidity,but the correlation between air fungal load and personnel activities wasn′t observed.CONCLUSIONS It demonstrated the fungi are found in the environment of the hospital including air,surface and water.The air fungal load varies throughout the year.The crest-time is May to June and September to October.Air fungal load is lower in winter and higher in summer and autumn.The correlation between air fungal load and temperature and humidity is observed.